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Tue
Nov
29
Join Greenbelt staff members to learn how to navigate using our new trails app!
Price: FREE
NEW DATE: Tues., 11/29/22 9:30 am - 10:30 am Cox Reservation, Essex Learn to navigate trails using the new GreenbeltGo app! If you've ever worried about getting lost on Greenbelt trails, join us to learn how to use this great navigation tool. Greenbelt's Director of Conservation Technology and Planning Division, Abby Hardy-Moss and our Geographic and Technical Support Specialist Dave Heacock will walk you through how to use the app. You'll learn about the features of the app, how to find maps and directions, and how to use the live location function to help you "stay found" (not lost!) on the trail. Then the group will go for a walk around Cox Reservation to get used to how the map and location functions work, with in-person support from Abby and Dave.
Sun., 12/4/22 1:00-3:00 pm Tompson Street Reservation, Gloucester (Norcross Gateway, on Concord Street) Guide: Ann Mahoney & Co.! Bring your pup and explore Tompson Street Reservation. Our hike will cover about 2 miles of rocky and potentially muddy terrain-- and the dogs love it! Don't forget your leash and your little baggies! If your dog is not the friendly, outgoing type, this may not be the outing for them! Dogs are welcome with their owners at most of our properties, so give us a call if you need help planning a solo adventure with your dog instead!
Wed
Dec
21
Enjoy a peaceful moment at sunset on the Winter Solstice at the top of Sagamore Hill.
Price: FREE
Wed., 12/21/22 4:00-5:15 pm John J. Donovan Reservation at Sagamore Hill, Hamilton Guide: Elizabeth Harkness, Greenbelt Events & Outreach Assistant Join Greenbelt staff for this relaxed walk up to the summit of Sagamore Hill where we'll watch the sun set in silence and then toast the New Year and the return of light! Non-alcoholic bubbly and compostable cups provided.
Thu
Jan
19
Join Marcie Armstrong for this mindful outdoor experience!
Price: FREE
Thurs., Jan. 19 9:30-11:30 am Vineyard Hill Reservation, Hamilton Dress in warm layers to experience the pleasant quietude of a winter landscape with Kripalu-trained guide Marcie Armstrong.
Sat
Jan
28
A walk for family members of all ages to discover what the land can tell about winter wildlife visitors!
Price: FREE
Saturday, Jan. 28 10:00-11:30 am Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, Rowley This program with North Shore Nature Programs is for families with children of all ages. We'll walk the flat marshland trails at a wildlife sanctuary to explore different signs that wildlife leave in winter, like footprints, scat, nesting materials, and more. Bundle up and get ready to have fun!
Sun
Feb
05
This bird watching meet-up is for beginners and intermediate birders who want more experience spotting seaside birds.
Price: FREE
Sunday, Feb., 5 12:00noon - 1:30 pm Harvey Reservation, Gloucester (snow date: 2/26) Bring a pair of binoculars (or let us know and you can borrow ours!) and some warm gloves to watch the bird activity off this spectacular sea wall in a quiet neighborhood, at the trailhead of Greenbelt's Harvey Reservation in Gloucester. Your guide, Laura Vehring, will go over binocular basics, common sea birds, identification tips, and more. Intermediate birders may wish to bring a scope and tripod, if you have one. But if not, that's okay-- binoculars are just fine!
Sun
Feb
12
Join a couple Greenbelt staff members for a relaxed walk at Beaver Pond Reservation in Merrimac and keep an eye out for wildlife!
Price: FREE
Sunday, Feb. 12 1:00-2:30 pm Beaver Pond Reservation, Merrimac, MA No agenda, just a pleasant walk in the woods with other nature lovers! This is a short, easy walk, only about 1.5 miles roundtrip. If there's snow on the ground, bring your snowshoes! We have a couple pairs to lend out, too. Just let us know! If there's no snow, we'll just go for a nice stroll through the quiet woods. Staff members may lend their expertise at tree ID, wildlife tracks, etc. The beaver pond is spectacular at all times of the year, so bring a camera!
Thu
Mar
09
Meet some other women/non-binary folks who love nature too as you are guided through the trail system at Tompson Street Reservation, Gloucester.
Price: FREE
Thurs., March 9 9:30-11:30 am Tompson Street Reservation, Gloucester This walk is for folks who identify as a woman or non-binary person, to enjoy a safe walk together through Tompson Street Reservation. Sometimes tackling a new or complicated trail system on your own can be daunting, so we hope you'll join us to discover these trails in a group.
Sat
Apr
08
Discover what plants and animals live in the salt marsh at this fun walk for families.
Price: FREE
WHEN: April 8 10:00-11:30 am WHERE: Cox Reservation 82 Eastern Ave. Essex, MA WHAT: North Shore Nature Programs will lead this outing onto the salt marsh to explore the various creatures and plants that live in this ecosystem. We'll get our boots muddy in this hands-on activity with expert children's nature educator, Andrew Prazar. Bathrooms available on site. Snacks provided!
Thu
Apr
20
Exclusive tour of Brick Ends farm with owner Peter Britton, followed by goodies from Unpacked Living, a zero waste shop.
Price: FREE
WHEN: April 20, 2023 9:30-11:00 am WHERE: Brick Ends Farm 464 Highland Street Hamilton, MA WHAT: Owner Peter Britton will lead this special behind-the-scenes tour of Hamilton's Brick Ends Farm compost facility and describe how the operation came to be, how it works, and how it benefits the local community. We'll then take a tour around First Light Farm, its associated organic vegetable farm and CSA. Parts of the farm and surrounding areas are protected by various conservation restrictions held by Greenbelt, and the trail system connects into Greenbelt's Vineyard Hill Reservation property. Most parts of the compost facility are not usually open to the public, so if you've ever wondered what lies beyond the trails, this is your opportunity to learn about this unique partnership! As a special Earth Month bonus, registered participants will be offered goodies from Unpacked Living, a zero waste shop in Beverly (as supplies last). Many thanks to Peter Britton (Brick Ends Farm) and Sabrina Auclair (Unpacked Living) for their partnerships!
Sat
May
06
Guided ride showcasing fun trails on conserved land. Beginners welcome!
Price: FREE
WHEN: Saturday, May 6 (raindate: May 7) 9:00 am - 12:00 noon Approx. 35 miles No rider left behind! All experience levels welcome! WHERE: Pingree Woodland Hamilton, MA (starting point TBA!) WHAT: This gravel bike outing is designed to be fun for riders of all levels. Experienced riders can go ahead with one of the guides to enjoy speed and excitement. Newer riders can follow another guide for a more relaxed pace. Beginners welcome! We'll provide a GPX file and route, but don't worry if you're new-- you'll have a guide and a group to ride with so no one will get lost or left behind! This ride is specifically designed for gravel bikes, cyclocross or hardtail mountain bikes. Road bikes would not be appropriate for the terrain. Helmets required. If you have any questions about the ride, please reach out to jane@ecga.org
Sat
May
20
Peek inside a beehive, make a beeswax candle, take home a butterfly plant, taste some honey, enjoy a scavenger hunt, and much more!
Price: FREE
WHEN: May 21, 2022 10:00am - 1:00 pm WHERE: Cox Reservation 82 Eastern Avenue Essex Join us to peek inside the beehives at Cox Reservation from the safety of a screened-in tent! This show and tell introduces children of all ages to the importance of bees and other pollinators. In addition to the hive opening, we'll have snacks and activities scattered around the property. Activities provided by: Greenbelt, Essex County Beekeepers Association, The Monarch Gardner, and North Shore Nature Programs. Bathrooms will be available. Bring a picnic and come enjoy the day!
June 9-10 at Cox Reservation 100+ artists! Paintings, pastels, watercolors, ceramics, sculpture and more! Proceeds go toward Greenbelt's conservation work around Essex County. Jury applications for new artists will open up in mid-February and will be due April 2. Check ecga.org/artinthebarn for updates!
Some events in the 2022 Film & Lecture Series will be in person, others will be virtual.
82 Eastern Avenue
PO Box 1026
Essex, MA 01929
e. Contact by Email
p. 978.768.7241
Greenbelt thanks the photographers whose work is featured prominently on our website: Jerry Monkman, Dorothy Monnelly, Adrian Scholes, David Alden St. Pierre & Neil Ungerleider